Pages

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Meet Doll Artist, Wyatt E. Hicks

Doll artist, Wyatt E. Hicks

Toledo, Ohio native, Wyatt E. Hicks contacted me recently with a request to share images of his doll art. I am in turn sharing those images here because I think his work is astounding. If I can help him gain the exposure he deserves, I am all for it!

Hicks' dolls are made of Super Sculpey and
wire armatures mostly. The heights range from 6 inches to 30 inches.
Prices for personal likenesses range from $300 to $600,
depending on how elaborate the clothing. Other dolls range from $85 to $225.

I met Miss Laverne Hall* in 1993 by accident. My sweetheart and I found a
flyer about a doll show and decided to drop in uninvited. Miss Hall
was more than nice to us. She allowed us to participate in the event (we
sold T-shirts). I saw some of the images that were being made and it
immediately inspired me. I couldn't wait to get home and buy some clay.
(It wasn't until weeks later that I realized it was OK to use something
other than my fingers to sculpt).

For three years or so I was
able to express my creativity at Hall's Holiday Festival of Dolls. I couldn't
pursue many shows following due to my father's prolonged illness. Many of
the dolls [shared here] are at least ten years old as a result.

I attempted to share the images with the Doll Reader magazine but they weren't interested. The other day I was researching online when I happened across your
words about your love of black dolls and felt that it was time for me to
resurface...

I am happy that my words inspired you to contact me, Wyatt. Thank you again for sharing the photos of your art dolls.

*****

*About LaVerne's Original Holiday Festival of Black Dolls taken from a 1998 National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center flyer:

LaVerne Hall began her own company manufacturing paper dolls in response to a need she saw for Black paper dolls. She named her first line of dolls after her daughter, Mahji...[which grew into a thriving business.Her line included] custom paper dolls of other children and historic Black figures. Stemming from early frustrations convincing major retail stores to carry her line, she established an organization to help increase the public visibility of Black dolls and dollmakers. This organization, LaVerne's Original Holiday Festival of Black Dolls, was the first of its kind to sponsor Black doll shows in selected cities each year.

Events and shows produced by LaVerne's Original Holiday Festival of Black Dolls continued for 18 years. A February 16, 2012, article, Woman Creates Black Paper Dolls for Her Daughters, provides additional information about Ms. Hall's work in the Black doll community.

It's a Small World
Ms. Hall is also responsible for publishing my first doll-related writings in her DOLL-E-GRAM publication from 1998-1999. I wrote several collector profiles for the "Spotlight on Collectors" column of DOLL-E-GRAM.

So nice from you,encourage an artist as Wyatt!This is not a surprise for me because I know about your great sensitivity for the art,the genuine expression and I'm glad to know Wyatt exactly from BDC.I'm sending all my vibes for Wyatt through your blog and I'm sure this will bring a important new moment for his art. Thank You,Debbie,Thank You ( Glad To "Meet" You, Wyatt!!)

Disclaimer

Any links I share or any blogs I write are for informational purposes only, and are not a warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that your experience with a vendor or company will be the same as mine. I am not affiliated with any of the companies whose dolls I buy or write about.